Does Delaware Law Improve Firm Value?

Abstract

I present evidence that Delaware corporate law improves firm value and facilitates the sale of public firms. Using Tobin?s Q as an estimate of firm value, I find Delaware firms are worth significantly more than similar firms incorporated elsewhere. The result is robust to controls for firm size, diversification, profitability, investment opportunity and industry. Delaware firms also receive significantly more takeover bids and are significantly more likely to be acquired. Firms with strong incentives to choose valuable legal regimes are likely to incorporate in Delaware when they go public. These results suggest that corporate law affects firm value.

JEL Classification: G32, G34